Richard L. Hart

St. Johnsville - Richard L. Hart, 93, of St. Johnsville (Town of Ephratah) passed away peacefully on Monday, August 18, 2025 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Amsterdam, NY with his loving family by his side.

He was born on February 4, 1932, in the Town of Oppenheim, the son of the late Olin J. Hart Sr. and Sarah L. (Kretser) Hart. Richard was educated and graduated from Oppenheim - Ephratah Central School.

He was married to Esther Mae Johnson on March 16, 1951, at the Crum Creek Lutheran Church in the Town of Oppenheim. The couple shared a blessed union of 71 years until the passing of Esther on February 5, 2023.

For many years, Richard, along with his wife, Esther, owned and operated the family farm on Bolster Hill in St. Johnsville. Esther was a partner in the farming with Richard, giving up her college fund to purchase Richard's first tractor. Richard was at one time an Ephratah assessor and enjoyed very much being the president of the Fulton County Soil and Water Program.  Richard had many hobbies.  He loved to play basketball and watch basketball games and followed all of the grandchildren in their sports careers.  He loved to play cards, watch old western movies, and was an avid hunter and fisherman.  Richard was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in St. Johnsville, NY. He enjoyed his church family and his faith in God. He would often remark how blessed he was to work on his tractor at the age of 92, and to have worked with his family, especially his son, John, who shared the leadership of the farm with Richard.

Survivors include his children: Bonnie Waterman (Larry), Richard O. (Linda), John (Andrea Myers), Susanna Simmons (Robert), James (RoseMary), and Ronald; his grandchildren: John Henry Hart (Lina), Kris Hart, Sara Gundersen (Todd), Dan Hart, Eric Hart (Joni), Alex Hart (Brittany), Andrew Hart, Emma Hart, Richard Hart (Kristina), Hillary Cool (Dustin), Amy Hart, Joseph Waterman (Heather), Jesse Hart (Jessi), Jacob Hart (Brittany), Sandy Dingman (Bill), Lee Simmons, and Michelle Hart (Genaro Sierra); 18 great grandchildren; his sister, Dorothy Mosher and husband, Jacque; his brother, Arnold Hart and wife Jean; and many nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased by his son, Patrick Hart; his siblings, Raymond Hart, Edward Hart, David Hart, Olin Hart, Jr., Erma Genis and Pauline Filipczuk; and his grandchild, Robert Hart and great grandchild, Julia Rose Hart.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the Grace Christian Church, 20 Center St., St. Johnsville, with Reverend Michael Torres officiating. Burial will follow at West St. Johnsville Cemetery where Richard and Esther will be laid to rest. There are no calling hours. Arrangements are under the caring guidance of the locally owned and family operated, Vincent A. Enea Funeral Service, (next to the Masonic Lodge), 20 Bridge St., St. Johnsville, NY 518-568-7040. In lieu of flowers, please make all memorial contributions to The Crum Creek Lutheran Church Historical Preservation Society, c/o Jack Carter, PO Box 1, St. Johnsville, NY 13452. Envelopes available at the church.

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